There's no question that Apple turned the smartphone market
upside down when it introduced the original iPhone way back in during the
summer of 2007. After its release, numerous competitors kicked into overdrive
to come up with smartphones built around a touch interface.

Apple again caught the industry with its pants down when it
launched the iPad in 2010. Once again, competitors were caught off guard and
rushed to get their own products onto the market.

In a new lawsuit filed this week, Apple is alleging that at
least one of its competitors -- Samsung -- took a few shortcuts in getting its
smartphones and tablets to market. Those shortcuts, Apple alleges, are that
Samsung copied the exterior design and interface elements of its iOS-based
devices.

Rather
than innovate and develop its own technology and a unique Samsung style for its
smart phone products and computer tablets, Samsung chose to copy Apple's
technology, user interface and innovative style in these infringing products.

Ina Fried of Mobilized received stronger language from an Apple spokesperson; "It’s no coincidence that Samsung’s latest products look a lot like the iPhone and iPad, from the shape of the hardware to the user interface and even the packaging. This kind of blatant copying is wrong, and we need to protect Apple’s intellectual property when companies steal our ideas.”

Apple may have a point when it comes to the Galaxy S
smartphones, as the design and interface do look more than a bit like the
iPhone 3GS. It remains to be seen whether the courts will agree with Apple, however.

“We do believe we have a moral responsibility to keep porn off the iPhone.” -- Steve Jobs